Collapsible box.



F. M. WADE.

GOLLAPSIBLE BOX.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 1a. 1908.

Patented Mar. 30, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

In 17 e nt o 1" hil 7198868 Wm WM F. M. WADE. ('JOLLAPSIBLE BOX.

7 APPLICATION FILED JULY 1a. 1908. 91 6,509 Patented Mar. 30, 1909.

, 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

4 '6; *5/6- a 5x 6 ll. N m, 07/ 3 'hh. y lh l a U Z 4 I v 1- Z Z? lWitnesses: m n r! WW Wm K M y MM WW attorneys,

F. M. WADE.

GOLLAPSIBLE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 13, 190B.

Patented Mar. 30, 1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Fig.9.

In ve 71/007"! Witnesses m d /iM,

F. M. WADE. UOLLAPSIBLE BOX. APPLICATION FILED JULY 13. 190B.

91 6,509. Patented Mar. 30, 1909.

a sums-sum. 4.

Hit me as es:

Invent-01',

F. M. WADE. COLLAPSIBLE BOX. APPLICATION FILED JULY 1a, 1908.

Patented Mar. 30,1909.

5 SHEETS-SHEET s.

r m H m Fig 19! Inventor, Q/ZLV 7/ we, B, MMWW d 660 1' 71,0 6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK )1. WADE, OF WAU WATOSA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO A. GEO. SOHULZ00., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A OORPORATIOL- OF WISCONSIN.

COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

Patented March 30, 1909.

1908. Serial No. 443,234.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK M. WADE, a citizen of the United States,residing at \Yauwatosa, in the county of Milwaukee and State ofWisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCollapsible Boxes, of which the following is a specification,

reference being had to the accompanying' drawing, forming a partthereof.

This invention relates to folding boxes. made of heavy paper, paperboard or similar Its mam ob ects are to produce material. a light,strong box which can be economically made, which will fold, when not inuse, into small compass for storage and out the aid of sta )les or otherextra fastenings; l struction and increase the convenience of boxes ofthis class.

It consists in certam novel features of; construction as hereinafterparticularly de- SCIlbGCl and defined 1n the clalms.

In the accompanying drawing like characters designate the same parts inthe several figures.

Figure 1 is a plan view of one end of the blank as cut and scoredaccording to the present invention for a deep box, the side sections ofwhich are each-about one half the width of the bottom or main section:

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the binding flap partially folded; Fig.3 1s a 511111181; view showing the flap completely foldedg'.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing one end of the box in its collapsed orknock-down condltion or form suitable for storage ori shipment, andready to be unfolded and set up for use; Fig. 5 1s a sectional andperspective view of one end of the box showing the box unfolded andpartially set up, the inner fold of ,the binding flap being raised atthe corners to permit the inner folds of thei corner sections to passunder them; Fig. 6 is a seotional'view of one end of the box completelyfolded; Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are views like or similar to Figs. 1, 1, 5and 6,

trans- I portation, whiclrcan be easily unfolded and set up for use andwill retain its shape wlthand genera 1 to improve the con-2 and 15 aresimilar views of another modification; and Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19 are isimilar views of still another modification.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, showing a construction suitable fordeep boxes, the blank is cut and scored as shown in Fig. 1, both endsbeing alike. The score lines or creases 1 and 2 on which the blank isfolded, define the bottom or main sect-ion a, four side walls orsections 1) and c, and four approximately square corner sections (1,joining the ends of the side sections along the score lines 1 and 2. Thecorner sections (Z- are scored on i the diagonal lines 3, and foldinwardly into substantially triangular form against opposite end or sidesect-ions c. The end or opposite side sections 0 are extended beyond theI corner sections (2 to form two-ply binding flaps e, which foldinwardly against the end Esections c on the score lines or creases 4.The outer part or fold of each binding flap e, which is art-iallysevered from the inner part or fold )y slits 5, is first folded inwardlyagainst the other part, as shown in Fig. 2, on the score line or crease6, parallel with the score lines 2 and 4. The slits 5, which are in themain substantially parallel with the score line 4, and extend from theends of the score line 6 through the ends of the flap, are preferablycurved or offset at their inner ends away from said score line, so thatthe edges of the two parts or folds of the flap along the slits will beseparated, or one will projectbeyond the other when the flap is folded,as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The ends of the g outer part of each flap arepreferably cut on curves 0r obliquely, so as to form outwardly divergentopenings into the slits 5. By so forming the flaps and the slitstherein, the tucking of the folds of the corner sections between thefolds of theflaps and the interangular parts of the corner sections (1adjoining the end sections 0 are formed through their edges with slitsor indentations 7, substantially parallel with the score lines 1, and

1 preferably having flaring or divergent open-- ings. These slits orindentations form ears of a sh htly modified construction for covor tabs8 at the corners of the blank. The

ers or s allower boxes Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14

1 binding flaps e being folded inwardly upon locking of the parts arefacilitated. The trithemselves and against the end sections 0, as flapse and to fold fiat against the other arts shown in Figs. 2 and 3, theside sections b with: the corner sections d, are folded inwardl yagainst the main .or bottom section a, and the end sections 0, as shownin Fig. 4, the free edges of the corner sections in line with the scorelines 4 being tucked into the slits 5 between the folds ofthe flaps e,and the ears or tabs 8 being tucked underneath both folds of said fiaps.The outer or underlying folds of the flaps e next to the end sections-c,e11- tering the slits or notches 7 and interlocking with the outerfoldsof the corner sections, help to retain the corner sections d inengagement with the infolded flaps and to hold the parts thus connectedin their proper relations to one another ,WhGIl the box is collapsed orfolded flat, as shown in Fig. 4. In this flat form or condition, theboxes may be conveniently piled one upon another in small compass forshipment or storage.

To open and set the boxes up for use, the side sections 1) are turnedupwardly and outwardly, thereby folding the corner sections upon, thediagonal lines 3, and drawing the end sections 0 up into place, as shownin Fig. 5. The edges of the triangular parts of the corner sections (1adjoining the side sections 1) being tucked through the slits 5 betweenthe folds of the flaps e, as shown in Fig. 6, thus secure theupturnedside sections 1) and end sections (2 together at the corners andhold the box in shape for use without staples or other extraneousfastenings.

To collapse and fold the box into the knock-down form in which it isshown in Fig. 4, the triangular parts of the corner sections (1 joiningthe side sections 6 are withdrawn from between the folds of the bindingflaps e by pressing or drawing the side sections toward each other or bypressing or drawing the end sections outwardly. When the inner folds ofthe corner sections have been disengaged from the binding flaps, theside sections 6 with the corner sections d will fold inwardly fiatagainst the main or bottom section a and the end sections 0, and the endsec tions will swing simultaneously outward into the plane of the mainor bottom section a. For covers or shallow boxes, the corner sections (1are made square and the slits or notches 7 are omitted, as shown inFigs. 7 to 10 inclusive. In other respects the construction of the boxand the manipulation in unfolding and folding the same, aresubstantially the same as for the deeper boxes hereinbefore described.

In'setting up either form of the box as illustrated by Figs. 5 and 9,the free .corners of the inner folds of the binding flaps e adjoiningthe end seotions c, are bent inwardly and upwardly to allow the upperedges of the triangular parts of the corner sections (1 adjoining theside sections to ass into lace through the slits 5 between t e folds othe tions 0.

of said corner sections adjoining the en sec- The ends of the innerfolds of the flaps 6 being released, springthack into place over bothparts of the folded corner sections, as shown in Figs. 6 and 10,- andthus securely r lock them together against the end sections and hold thebox in shape for use, without other fastenings. serve to hold the boxfolded flat or in its knock down form, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8.

The projection of the outer or underlying folds of the flaps e beyondthe inner or overlying folds thereof and the consequent separation ofthe edges of the two folds along the slits 5, as shown in Figs.-3, 4, 8and 10, facilitate the-insertion of the edges of the corner sectionsbetween said folds, particularly in converting the blank into the fiator collapsed form of the box shown by Figs. 4 and 8. Boxes of this kindmay each be made in a single piece or from a one-piece blank, as shownin Figs. 1 and 7, or if desired on account of economy in material or forany other reason, each blank may be pieced or made of more than onepart, asshown for example, by Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive. In the presentinstance the folds or parts of the binding flaps at the ends of the box,instead of being made in one pieqe, asshown in the preceding figures ofthe drawing, are each made in two parts, the outer fold or part 6having,

as shown in Fig. 11, a tongue 9 which is formed with slits or notches 10in its opposite edges, and which, as shown in Fig. 12 is adapted to betucked through and held in a slit 1 1 cut in the'inner fold or part ofthe flap parallel with the score line 4. n The width of the tongue 9bein somewhat greater than the length of the s it 11, the slits ornotches '10 interlock with the inner fold or part of the fia at the endsof the'slit 1 1 and permanently ho d the parts together, it beingunnecessary The binding flaps e also to separate them after they haveonce been i connected. When they are thus joined, the adjacent edges ofthe folds or parts of the flaps form the'slits 5, as shown in Fig. 12,to receive and hold the corner sections (1 both in the knock-down orcollapsed andin the i set-up conditions of the box, the same as in theone-piece forms hereinbefore described.

By the construction last described, the body of the blank is-somewhatshortened,

and the outer folds or parts e of the fla s may be made'from scraps orcomparative y narrow strips of like or similar material. Blanks so madeare folded as shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 15, into the knock-down orcollapsed form from which they can be readily unfolded and set up foruse, as hereinbefore explained in connection with Figs. 4 to 6 and 8 to10 inclusive, the'outer parts 2 of the flaps folding on the score lines6 across their tongues 9. 1 j

the corner sections (1 adjoining the side sec involve the use of toolsor the application of The construction shown in Figs. 11 to 15 sectionsand having slits through their ends inclusive is intended for shallowboxes or and between their folds approximately covers, but is equallyadapted to deeper j boxes, the sides and corner sections 1), c and i (Ibeing made as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Referring to Figs. 16 to 19 inclusive, showing a modification of theauxiliary locking device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, thetriangular parts of the corner sections cl are formed with oblique slits7 and the outer parts of the binding flaps e adjoining the end or sidesections 0 are formed at the ends with notched or hooked ears 8 whichwhen said flaps and the side sections 1) with the corner sections at arefolded inwardly to produce a box in colla sed or knock-down form, aretucked throug the slits 7, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19. When the notchesof the ears 8 are engaged with the inner ends of the slits 7, the cornersections (1 passing through the slits 5 and lying between the folds ofthe binding flaps e, theend or side sections 0 are securely locked tothe outer triangular parts of the infolded corner sections (55, as shownin Fig. 19. This form of locking device is applicable to deep as well asshallow boxes and covers, and serves with the binding flaps e tosecurely hold the boxes or covers both in their collapsed or knockdownand in their set-up form.

From the knock-down form shown in Fig. 19, the box is unfolded and setup as shown by Figs, 5 and 9, the ends of the inner parts or folds ofthe fla s e being bent inwardly and upwardly wh' e the triangular partsof tions 1) being folded outwardly on the score lines 3, are tuckedthrough the slits 5 between the folds of said flaps 6. These boxes maybe supplied to users or dealers and.stored or shipped completelyunfolded or in the blank form as shown in Figs. 1, 7, 12 and 16, sincethey can be readily converted from that form into the fiat folded orcollapsed form shown in Figs. 4, 8, 15 and 19, and from the tionshereinbefore explained, which do not extra fastenings.

I claim:

1. A collapsible box comprising a main and four side sections, fourdiagonally infolding corner sections and two-ply infolding binding-flapson two opposite side sections, having slits through the endsapproximately parallel with their folding lines, the upper edges of thefolded corner sections being adapted to be tucked into said slitsbetween the folds of the flaps when the box is set up,- substantially asdescribed.

2. A collapsible box comprising a main and four side sections, fourdiagonallyinfolding corner sections and two-ply infolding binding flapsjoined to opposite side parallel with their folding lines, the freeedges of the infolded corner sections being 1 adapted to be tuckedthrough said slits and held between the folds of the binding flaps,

and the flaps and the corner sections havmg interlocking slits and ears,substantially as described.

3. A collapsible box comprising a main andfour side sections, fourdiagonally infolding corner sections, and on two 0 posite side sectionstwo ply infolding inding ilaps having slits through the endsapproximately parallel with their folding lines and notched ears at theends of their outer folds,

the upper edges of the folded corner sections being adapted to be tuckedinto said slits between the folds of the flaps, and the outer folds ofsaid corner sections having slits to receive and interlock with the earson said binding fiapspsubstantially as described.

4. A collapsible box comprising a main and four side sections, fourdiagonally infolding corner sections joined to the ends of the sidesections along folding lines, and two-ply infoldin binding flaps joinedalong folding lines tot e outer edges of two opposite side sections andhaving slits through their ends approximatelyparallel with their foldinglines to receive and hold one or both folds of said corner sections,substantially as described.

5. A collapsible box comprising a main and four side sections, fourdiagonally infolding corner sections joined on folding lines to the endsof the side sections, and two-ply infolding binding flaps joined onfolding lines to the outer ed es of two opposite side sections andhaving s its extending from and out of line with the score lines betweenthe folds of the flaps through the ends of the flaps, so that the edgesof the parts of each flap next to the slits therein are separated andextend one beyond the other w ien the flap is folded, the edges of thecorner sections being ada ted to be tucked throu h said slits and hdlflaps, substantially as described.

6. A collapsible box comprising a main and four side sections, fourdiagonally infolding corner sections joined to the ends of the sidesections on fo ding lines and twoly infolding binding flaps joined onfolding ines to the outer edges of two opposite side sections and havingslits through their ends through which the outer edges of the folded Qcorner sections are adapted to be tucked between the folds of said flapsto, hold the parts in place when the box is setup, substantially asdescribed.

7. A collapsible box formed in one piece dbetween the folds of t e andcomprising a main and four side sections, four diagonally infoldingcorner sections joined to the ends of the side sections along foldinglines and two-sly infolding mately parallel with their folding lines toreceive and hold one or both folds of said corner sections,substantially as described.

In Witness whereof I hereto affix my signature in presence of twowltnesses.

FRANK M. WADE. Witnesses:

CHAS. L. Goss, ALICE E Goss.

